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Rex Santus
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June 14, 2014 @ 3:31 pm
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Holy 75th anniversary, Batman!

Three-quarters of a century after Bob Kane and Bill Finger created Bruce Wayne, a trio of some of the series’ most enduring characters — the Bat, Robin and Catwoman — convened at Denver Comic Con to answer questions from a packed auditorium.

Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar, famed for their portrayals of the characters in the 1960s TV series, shared stories from the set, plus a healthy dose of life advice. (Newmar: “You just get some licorice, pour it over you, put on some high heels, strut out and let the boys follow you.”)

The big talking point of the panel was that the 1960s Batman series was always intended to be lighthearted, quite unlike the hyper-serious Christopher Nolan bat flicks. Adam West referred to himself as “The Bright Knight,” right after joking that he and Ward “were terribly serious crime fighters.”

Some other highlights:

*Burt Ward’s story of “survival”: After beating out 1,100 kids for the role (because the producers told him “if there really was a Robin, you’d be it”), he was nearly flung from a car in a stunt. The show runners put off taking him to the emergency room until the scene was finished. “You see how brave this man is to hang out with me?” West said.

*Adam West shouting, “Quick, Robin, to the Batmobile!”

*Adam West talking about his portrayal of Captain Quik, a James Bond spoof character in Nesquik commercials that inspired Batman’s producers to hire him.

*An audience member asking Julie Newmar about her involvement in “Too Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” (the 1995 movie about three drag queens that bears her name), which led to a story about a stolen $70,000 dress.

*80-year-old Newmar, who was wearing cat ears, in general. She summed up why Catwoman is empowering to women: “It’s a powerful expression of femininity. We have all the power we need, don’t we, girls?”

*West describing his favorite gadget from Batman’s utility belt, the Bat Shield, which made him feel “so secure” because he could pull a full-sized protection device from a tiny pocket.

*The trio discussing the series’ enduring legacy. West expressed his gratitude that fans raise their children to watch Batman. “It’s better when you have fun,” he said. “You all turned out pretty well, didn’t you?”